Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Sunday of All Saints of Rus’-Ukraine. The Holy Venerable-Martyr Febronia
Apostles’ Fast.
Romans 6:18-23; Romans 8:28-39; Matthew 8:5-13; Matthew 5:1-16.
Read Matthew 8:5-13
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
It takes one to know one. The centurion in today’s gospel reading knew authority when he saw it – “I am a man under authority, with soldiers under me.” Faith is a gift from God which we participate in receiving. There is always something in us that provides a means for recognizing and trusting Jesus for who He is. For the centurion it was his understanding of authority. That’s not most of us. But we have other capacities and experiences that equip us to see Jesus more truly and more deeply respond to Him in faith.
And people we know who do not yet have faith in Jesus, being themselves created in the image of God, also have such capacities and experiences. Many people are concerned about and yearn for truth and justice. Others for goodness and love. Others for sacredness and beauty. Others for mercy and healing. There is always something in a human person by which they have the capacity to perceive and experience Jesus as the incarnation of God through His attributes.
And, seeing Jesus as He is, we see ourselves as we are. The centurion knew – “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.” When we get who Jesus really is, we get who we really are. That gives us the opportunity for repentance.
Notice what you connect with Jesus about. Look around and see other people who connect over those things. Connect with them and let them see you connecting with Jesus over those things. That can give them opportunities to also receive the gift of faith.